Team Beatrice and Barb: Jen Grimbleby, Managing Editor
I suspect most people have some idea of what an editor does (or at least they think they do!). What they might not realize, however, is that each book can pass through the hands of multiple types of editors on its journey from manuscript to finished book
A managing editor, for example, is kind of like the air traffic controller of the production process. They’re responsible for coordinating between the various individuals and departments involved in the creation of a book, ensuring everything proceeds smoothly and deadlines are met. At the same time, they’re responsible for the quality and correctness of each book on a granular level, catching errors, printing issues, inconsistencies, and anything that might cause the reader to become confused. And of course, they are working on many books at many different stages of development at the same time! In other words, this job combines a ton of things I really struggle with — managing schedules, fine attention to detail, and an ability to spot mistakes. I would be so terrible at this job!
Which is why I have buckets of respect and admiration for managing editors everywhere, but especially for Jennifer Grimbleby, the managing editor at Kids Can Press! Jennifer has been an integral part of the team of talented creative professionals that have brought Beatrice and Barb to life!
1. Tell me a little bit about your relationship to plants. Are you a plant parent? What color is your thumb?
Does parenting fake plants count? If yes, all my “plants” are thriving! (Confession: I’m a horrible plant caretaker and my thumb is about as far away from green as it can get!)
2. Were you allowed to have a pet as a kid? Do you have one now?
Yes! Growing up I had cats, dogs, fish … and a Tamagotchi (for a virtual pet, she was quite needy …). Now my heart belongs to my golden retriever, Kelly Kapawski (her name is a not-so-subtle Saved by the Bell reference).
3.You are the (fabulous!) production editor for Beatrice and Barb. I’m not sure that everyone understands what exactly a production editor does. Could you explain what exactly that role entails?
Production editors are the quality control of the publishing world. They manage the later phases of publication, starting from the copyediting stage right up to sending files to the printer. They apply deadlines, enforce quality standards, manage a team of copyeditors and proofreaders, and (meticulously) review content and provide feedback.
Production editors need to have a keen eye for detail — they look for anything and everything that might cause confusion for readers, especially typos (misplaced commas are the bane of our existence), continuity (mid-story hair-colour changes should be avoided at all costs) and layout. They review at the micro level, mostly handling non-substantive changes, with the ultimate goal of sending each book to the printer error-free.
4. What does a typical workday look like for you? Can you tell me a bit about your workspace?
My typical workday involves reading children’s books (living the dream over here!), creating (and revising) schedules, and production editing. As the managing editor, I’m responsible for the day-to-day happenings in the production process — I’m basically a traffic-control centre, making sure each book stays on schedule and goes where it needs to go, putting out little fires along the way and ensuring everyone’s needs have been considered.
My home office features what I’m pretty sure is a child-sized desk from Ikea (it was a pandemic purchase and options were limited), a lamp and LOTS of colourful Muji pens (if you’ve never used a Muji pen, you’re missing out). I’m positioned in front of a window, which I love — like most plants, I need as much sunlight as I can get!
5. Creating PBs really is a team sport. What do you love about the collaborative nature of this process? What can be a challenge?
The collaborative nature of making picture books might be the most important part of my job, and I’m really lucky that I get to work with lovely people. Some might find in-depth discussions about commas and em dashes to be dull (gasp!), but we can get into some intense debates about punctuation! Collaborating with such a great team makes problem solving that much easier, and at the end of the day, our books are better for it.
The challenging part is knowing when to let the small things go — I’m still working on that one!
6. How did B+B find you? What was your journey with this story like?
As soon as Beatrice and Barb was presented to Kids Can Press for consideration, I knew I wanted to work on it (who could resist a Venus flytrap named Barb?). This book came to me in such great shape (a testament to brilliant writing, editing, illustrating and designing — go team!), and there were only a handful of proofreading notes and queries, which is always the dream! At every pass, I found myself loving something new about the story (Beatrice inviting the family-room fern for a playdate is EVERYTHING), and Vivian Mineker’s beautiful art somehow became more and more vibrant with every read.
By the time B+B went off to the printer, I had almost convinced myself that I needed a Venus flytrap … but then I thought my fake plants might get too jealous.
7. If Beatrice and Barb has a take away, it might be that in order to care for any living thing -- human, animal, or plant -- you have to really know them, to understand their unique needs. Give me a list of things that make it possible for you, Jennifer Grimbleby, to thrive!
• Horrible (yet entertaining!) reality TV
• McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets (dipped in honey because it’s delicious)
• Road trips (or air trips … or boat trips … trips in general are wonderful
• Throw blankets (never not cold)
• Puppy cuddles (no explanation needed)
8. Current obsessions? (Can be bookish or not!)
• Smartless podcast (If you ever spot me walking down the street giggling to myself with headphones on, I’m more than likely listening to Smartless)
• Wordle, Quordle and Octordle (I like word games … maybe too much)
• Only Murders in the Building (Can’t. Stop. Watching.)
9. What’s one book that left a mark on you as a kid? What’s a recent book you think everyone should be reading?
There’s not one book in particular, but rather a series that made a big impact on me as a kid — the Sweet Valley Twins series by Francine Pascal was my all-time favourite, and I remember being pretty jealous that I didn’t have a twin sister (or live in California!). They churned out these books so fast, and I devoured every one of them. (My childhood bookshelf developed a noticeable curve from the weight of my collection.)
As for recent books, the only time I get to read for fun these days is while I’m on vacation, so most of my recent reads are beach reads. If that’s your thing, I’d recommend Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid — the writing is captivating, the characters are well-developed and the plot is packed with scandal. It’s the perfect escape and might just make you want to pick up a surfboard.
10. What’s the very best part of your job?
I get paid to read kids’ books! (Seven-year-old me would be so impressed!)
